Finger stall, catheter, sheath, or the like



Aug. 10, 1943. A. MENDEL 2,326,159

FINGER STALL, CATHETER, SHEATH OR THE LIKE Filed Nov. 1, 1940 AZ Ffi0 N01. 1.

- INVENTOR.

A M-Va L- H 4 Patented Aug. 10, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FINGER STALL, CATHETER, SHEATH,

' OR THE LIKE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in goods of rubber or other suitable material, particularly in finger stalls, catheters, preventives, sheaths or the like.

The surface of rubber usually used for such goods offers a comparatively high resistance to an introduction into a body opening. Such resistance entails the danger of irritation of body tissues and of damage to the introduced finger stall, catheter, sheath or the like, since the material used for such articles is very thin and sensitive. Various suggestions have been made to secure a smooth, sliding effect. For instance, it is known to treat the rubber with substance which quickly swell if brought in contact with moisture and make the surface of rubber or the like slippery. However, the use of such quick swelling substances has the disadvantage that the surface becomes slippery only when suificient moisture is present and after the surface has been brought into contact with it. Consequently, the resistance olfered to an introduction by the rubber surface is not reduced by the use of such swelling substances at the moment of penetration.

One object of my invention is to provide means for making the surface of finger stalls, catheters, sheaths or the like slippery before introduction into a body opening without requiring the preceding contact with moisture.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for making the surface of finger stalls, catheters, sheaths or the like slippery before introduction into an opening of the body and simultaneously to protect the means used for making the surface slippery against any unsanitary contact before using.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for making the surface of finger stalls, catheters, sheaths or the like slippery before introduction into a body opening and to provide a sanitary cover for such means which can be easily removed when the article is to be used.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for making the surface of a, finger stall, catheter, sheath or the like slippery before introduction into a, body opening near the tip of the article and to protect these means by an easily removable cover against an aseptic contact until the article is to be introduced. When the gliding means are laid open by removal or destruction of the cover they will automatically secure the desired slipperiness.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing several embodiments of my invention are shown.

Fig. 1 shows a. longitudinal section of the upper part of a finger stall, catheter, sheath, preventive or the like according to my invention.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of Fig. 1 along line 2-2.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the upper part of a second embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the upper part of the embodiment according to Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the upper part of a third embodiment of my invention.

l is a conventional finger stall, catheter, sheath or the like which may consist of thin rubber or any other suitable material. The tip of finger I is covered by a cap 3 which may consist of the same material as finger l or any other suitable material, for instance material as known under the trade name Cellophane. The cap is secured with its part 4 to finger stall l by any suitable conventional process. I have found that good results may be obtained by using a solution of rubber in alcohol or ether. However, I do not want to limit my invention to the use of such means of connecting cap and finger. The space between cap and finger is filled with a substance 5 for making the surface of the rubber very slippery. Such substance must be one which has no deleterious effect upon the rubber and does not irritate any body tissues with which it may come in contact. Furthermore, it shall be durable enough to be stored for a sufflcient length of time. Various substances of this kind are known to the art. I have found that a, very preferable one is petroleum jelly as known under the trademark Vaseline." However, various other substances may be used, for instance neutral fats or glycerine. It is also possible to use dry, greasy substances, for instance talc. Furthermore, antiseptic or germicidal substances can be added.

Cap 3 will protect the substance 5 before and until the article is used. Immediately before its introduction, cap 3 is removed by tearing or cutting it off. The removal or destruction of the cap can be facilitated by imbeddlng one or more threads 6 into the interior of the cap as shown in Fig. 2. If the cap shall be opened it is necessary only to pull one of the extending ends of thread 6. I have found that the thread will easily cut through the thin rubber and thus open the cap.

When the article is introduced the gliding substance 5 will come in contact with the side walls of the body opening and secure a smooth sliding eflect. The remaining parts of the cap will be folded back against the side walls of article I. The gliding means which are transferred to the side walls of the body opening by the use oi the article will in turn serve to coat those parts of the article, which were not originally covered with gliding means, with such gliding means, thus securing a perfect slipperiness o! the entire article I and the body opening before and during introduction.

Figs. 3 and 4 show an embodiment oi my invention in which cap 3 is substituted by an annular pocket I of thin rubber or other suitable material. This pocket is secured at both edges to article I by any suitable glue, for instance by a solution of rubber in alcohol. The space between pocket 1 and article I is fllled by a substance 5 as described in connection with Figs.

1 and 2. The pocket may be opened by tearing it oil. The opening of the pocket can be facilitated by imbedding one or more threads 8 into the pocket walls. Thread 8 may be imbedded in a straight line, a zig-zag line or a meander line as indicated in Fig. 4. It the protruding end of this thread is pulled it will cut through the pocket walls thus laying open the contents of the pocket.

When article I is to be introduced the pocket is opened by pulling thread 8. Since the tip of the article 1 is tapered there will be no difliculty in introducing the tip and as soon as the full cross-section of the article reaches the body opening the effect oi sliding means 5 will secure the desired smooth, sliding eflect.

Instead of using a thread 8 for facilitating the opening of pocket I it is also possible to 5 weaken the pocket I along lines 9, 9 and to provide a tongue ill, by the pulling of which the pocket is torn open along weakened lines 9, 9.

In some cases a special tongue will not be necessary but the pressure exercised during the intro- 10 duction will be suificient to open the pocket along the weakened lines. It is also possible to provide weakened lines in connection with a cap as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

My invention is not limited to the embodiments shown but various changes and alterations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

0 1. A surgical device comprising an elastic elongated body having a closed end, a layer of lubricating material encircling the body, and a covering surrounding the body to normally confine said layer, means for securing the covering to the body, said covering being removable to expose sald layer.

2. The structure according to claim 1 together with a looped flexible member confined by the covering and having iree ends thereof externally of the covering for rupturing said covering upon pulling on either of said ends.

ALFRED IWEN'DEL. 

